subirse
/subiɾse/from spelling rules
The Spanish way to say 'hop up' is subirse.
The phrase is used to describe the action of jumping or climbing up onto a higher surface, such as a seat or a platform.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to specify the object or the surface that you are hopping up onto, use the preposition a after the verb, forming the phrase subirse a.
How do you pronounce it?
/subiɾse/
Did you know?
- In some regions, subirse is used colloquially to mean that someone has become arrogant or 'too big for their boots'. It suggests the person has 'climbed up' too high in their own mind.
- Spanish uses subir for both climbing a mountain and 'uploading' a file to the internet. This treats the cloud as a higher physical destination you hop up to.
- The verb subir is used to describe the increase of prices or the rising of the sun. It frames the concept of 'hopping up' as a general movement toward a higher value or position.
Examples in context
- Después de la entrevista, Marta se levantó de un salto para agradecer la oportunidad.After the interview, Marta hopped up to express her gratitude for the opportunity.
- Carlos se levantó de un brinco cuando escuchó la noticia.Carlos hopped up when he heard the news.
- Súbete a la silla.Hop up onto the chair.
- Ten cuidado al subirse al muelle.Be careful when hopping up onto the pier.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are in the kitchen with a high counter.
- SofíaMateo, ¿puedes subirse al taburete?Mateo, can you hop up on the stool?
- MateoSí, ya estoy aquí arriba.Yes, I am already up here.
- SofíaAhora alcanza ese plato por mí.Now reach that plate for me.
- MateoClaro, aquí tienes el plato.Sure, here is the plate.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry subirse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
